Kochi: Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) in association with Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) conducted second season of Saksham cyclathon on January 20 at the Maharaja's College ground here.

The mission of the event was to promote cycling for reducing petroleum consumption and thereby reducing pollution.

More than thousand cycle enthusiasts took part in the cyclathon. The participants belonged to a diverse set of age group youngest being Aaron, a two and a half year old kid who stole the show. People came from as far away as Thiruvalla on cycles to participate in the event. The competition was marked by the strong overwhelming presence of defence personals and their families who are the real ambassadors of good health in the country.

The chief guest of the day deputy chief controller of explosives Dr. R Venugopal gave the pledge of petroleum conservation and flagged off the event. The participants cycled through the city's heart starting from Maharaja’s College Ground through M.G.Road till Thevara Junction and back to Maharaja’s College Ground.

General Manager of GAIL Tony Mathew reminded the participants that Petroleum reserve in the country is very limited and its consumption happens to be at much faster rate than its formation. Seeing the urgent need to conserve petroleum in a situation when the demand for petroleum is increasing at an alarming rate he emphasised the need for a revolution in the transport sector which accounts for fifty percentage of the petroleum consumption in the country.

This novel venture as part of the cycle day was carried out in 200 cities across the length and breadth of the country simulatenously. This years theme for the event was 'me hum saksham' to highlight the responsibility of individuals towards a cleaner greener and better earth to live in.